Abdu’l-Karim was an Egyptian merchant of considerable
wealth, who had heard the story of the new Revelation, and accepted it with the
ardor of his eager temperament. After some time he felt that he could not be
content without seeing the Messenger of God whose presence in the world had
stirred his heart. So he wrote a letter to Acca, where Baha’u’llah, the new
Manifestation of God, was and begged permission to visit Him.
Baha’u’llah’s answer greatly surprised him. He was told that
he could come to Acca, but first he must put himself in a position where he
owed no man anything.
Abdu’l-Karim had carried on his business for many years in
the customary Oriental fashion, sending his caravans across the desert laden
with a precious freight of riches. He had established lines of credit
everywhere, and probably never dreamed of doing business on a cash basis. His
commerce was constantly expanding and perhaps he was not too scrupulous in his
dealings. We may be certain it had not occurred to him that his interest in the
new Day of God would require him to revise his approach to doing business with
his fellow man. A successful merchant is apt to fall into the habit of
considering his own advantage first. Naturally Abdu’l-Karim was absorbed in the
conduct of his rapidly broadening trade connections, for he was a man of fifty
years when this momentous influence came into his life.
Abdu’l-Karim accepted without hesitation the required
stipulation. Before all else he wanted to see the Manifestation of God, and
everything became of secondary importance in comparison with this event.
He began, therefore, to arrange his affairs with this point
in view. Previously he had thought only of expansion, of increase. Now his one
desire was to reach the condition where he would owe no man anything. So he
began to pay off his debts. As money came in, instead of investing it again, he
paid a debt with it, until at length, after five years, he had attained his
goal, and he did not owe a penny to anyone!
